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4 Tips to Prepare You From Pigging Out on Thanksgiving Day

Posted by Lori Shemek; November 25, 2013

I know, I know, it’s Thanksgiving day and you are bombarded with gooey pies topped with mounds of whipped cream, plates piled high with mashed potatoes and much more and it seems as if you cannot resist – but you can now.

You don’t have to forgo all of your favorite foods, Arming yourself with the tips below will help to fortify you and allow you to sail through Thanksgiving (and the next day) without overindulging.

I remember one Thanksgiving at my grandmother’s house, she prepared a feast plus another ..or so it seemed. It was a feast to behold and everyone’s jaw just dropped at the sight of it all. Thankfully, I had implemented my pre-Thanksgiving strategy.

Here are the strategies that I have used and will help you too:

Eat before you go. Do not go without eating all day as this will only set you up for over-indulging at the Thanksgiving table. Make sure to eat a meal and a snack (high in protein and healthy fat) as this will balance your blood sugar and prevent the inevitable downward feasting spiral.

Drink water throughout the day. Most people are walking around chronically mildly dehydrated and do not know it. When we are mildly dehydrated, our brain confuses thirst with hunger and so we can end up eating when drinking water consistently throughout the day is all you need to stave off the Thanksgiving overkill.

Change your perception of the Thanksgiving feast. Just because the food is there, does not mean you have to eat all of it and more. Have something of what you love, but not in excess – think small. Consider skipping on the extras such as rolls and stick with what you love (unless they are the rolls)

Visualize how you will feel the day after Thanksgiving. Those who have over-indulged at Thanksgiving know all too well the feeling of being bloated, tired and more. Visualize and think about how you want your body and mind to feel. Do you have energy to burn and are full of vitality? Or are you full of guilt from the feasting the day before? Thanksgiving is one big temptation buffet…if you let it. But by preparing in advance, you will not only enjoy a beautiful holiday, but you’ll leave post-Thanksgiving food guilt at the door. Happy Healthy Thanksgiving!